Sightseeing and Temples at Tiruvannamalai

                    Tiruvannamalai is an ancient city that exists since 8th Century. It is over 100 km south of Kanchipuram and 185 km southwest of Madras. There are over 100 temples in this town. The most famous temple is the Arunachaleswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati.

Below are the few important places to visit when you are in the holy place of Tiruvannamalai.

ARUNACHALESHWARAR TEMPLE:

The Arunachaleshwarar temple lying at the foot of the Arunachala hill, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the largest temples in India. With the hill serving as a background, it actually seems more like a fort. The temple has wonderful architecture and is very rich in customs, history, and celebrations. The Annamalaiyar Temple is considered as one of the temples associated with the Agni or Fire element of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas or the five elements and is significant to the Hindu sect of Shaivism.  In the region, Lord Shiva is also known as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar. His idol is referred to as Agni Lingam and Goddess Parvati is referred to as Unnamalai Amman.

Believers visit the temple for religious purposes and for offering prayers to the deities. It is said that visiting this temple and offering prayers with a clean heart will absolve one’s sins. It is here that many Sages and Maharishis have attained salvation in the past and it is here that one should come to experience at least a moment of peace in today’s fast-paced world.

Temple Timings (Opening and Closing):

Morning: 5:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Evening:  3:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Temple Pooja Details:

Temple Contact Details:

04175 – 252438

RAMANA ASHRAM:

Located at the foothills of the Arunachala hills, to the west of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, the Ramana Ashram is famous for having served as home to the modern sage and Advaita Vedanta philosopher, Ramana Maharshi, from the year 1922, until his death in the year 1950. The Samadhi shrine of Maharshi Ramana continues to attract devotees from all over, who love to visit the place to relax and refresh themselves, far away from the maddening crowd and hustle bustle of the city. The Ashram is about 2 km from the Annamalaiyar temple and about 3 km from both railway station and bus station.

Timings (Opening and Closing):

                   Virupaksha Cave is an ancient cave in the shape of the sacred “Om” and contains the samadhi of Sage Virupaksha. Bhagavan Sri Ramana lived here from 1899 to 1916. This serene cave has been preserved and maintained by Sri Ramanasramam for the benefit of visitors to meditate for peace of mind. 

Opening Timings:

Daily: 08:00 AM TO 04:00 PM

SATHANUR DAM:

Sathanur Dam, a stunning engineering marvel, is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from the city of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. This breathtaking structure has been built over River Thenpennai (River Pennaiyar) flowing through the Chennakesava Hills in Thandarampet Taluk. The reservoir is called the Sathanur Reservoir and is considered as one of the major dams in the state. The structure consists of pleasant parks, a fish grotto and a huge crocodile farm that attracts nature enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world. The site is strikingly beautiful during the monsoons as the river gushes with clear waters.